1533-1603

England

Significance: first successful female monarch in England

My loving people,

During QEl's reign, she never married - claiming she was 'married to her country'. The.

Spanish kings wanted to invade England, and? did try to propose a marriage "alliance' with. her, but she refused. Frustrated, the Spanish Armada (a powerful navy fleet) was sent to invade England. In 1588 QEl appointed Robert Dudley to be the new leader of the land army at Tilbury (by the mouth of the Thames).

Although we have no evidence of her presence there, it is suggested that she rode to Tilbury herself to introduce Robert Dudley and rally the troops with a moving speech, They proceeded to defeat the Spanish.

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery. But I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.

Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even

I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.